Boyfriend Needs Help But Refuses to Get it

Q. I have lived with my boyfriend for just about three years now. I love him very much, maybe a little too much. ok, here’s the problem: He knows that he has mental health issues, but refuses help and/or treatment. I dont know what to do. His mood swings are ridiculous and they hurt me. Often i sleep in another room. When it is really bad for him, he becomes very obsessive. Mostly about what i am doing/not doing, while he’s at work. or he obsesses on chores,(mine, of course). He yells and kicks me out frequently for tiny things, such as: wearing shoes, having a snack, making meals, etc…anyway, my point is, i am aware that he is sick. thats most of the reason that i have stayed so long. but i am often the target for whatever hes feeling, so what do i do if he refuses treatment? HELP

A. If you ask him to get help and he still refuses there may be nothing else you can do. You cannot force anyone into treatment. You may need to consider whether or not you want to stay in a relationship with an individual who knows he needs help but still refuses it.

You said he gets angry at you for small matters. He not only gets angry but he then throws you out of the house. His anger is targeted at you and he essentially blames you for his problems.

You did not say how long you have tolerated this behavior. You mentioned that you have been living together for three years and that perhaps you love your boyfriend “too much.” I am taking this “too much” expression to mean that you may feel that your excessive love for him has allowed you to tolerate abusive behavior from your boyfriend. It is fine to love your boyfriend and to want to help him but if you try and he repeatedly refuses your suggestion for help, it may be time for an ultimatum.

My advice is this: Ask him to get help and if continues to say no, you may want to consider a separation until he does. The alternative is to continue living with a person who knowingly hurts and abuses you. Your staying with him may actually “enable” him to stay away from treatment. Certainly, he feels no need to change his behavior towards you, after all “you must be ok with it or you would have left him.” All enablers are well intended but they allow the problem to continue and thus actually hurt the person they are trying to help.

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Last reviewed: By Psych Central Staff on 1 Jul 2008Originally published on PsychCentral.com on 30 Jun 2008. All rights reserved.